Music and the arts vital for youth development, says parish music camp director

By Klysha Best

Local musician, Panorama judge and retired schoolteacher, Rosalind Garnes is hoping to sustain the arts and music programme at the St Therese RC Chapel in Acono, Maracas, St Joseph.

Speaking at the close of the chapel’s second annual Vacation Music Camp concert on July 27, Garnes, who created the camp programme, emphasised the transformative power of arts education for youth and issued an urgent appeal for community support to keep the programme alive with bigger and better accommodation.

Garnes, who taught for 40 years at the St Xavier’s Private School and had stints tutoring internationally in places like the United Kingdom and Brazil, reflected on what motivates her: “When I reach Heaven, I want to be able to show my credentials—what I did with the talents given to me. I’ve done my part here, and it has been successful because I believe in nurturing our children’s gifts.”

She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and the community’s support, recalling her initial visit to the chapel and her motivation for starting the music camp.

“I was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I have no other way to say it. I had just moved to Acono. I was living in St Joseph before and the Holy Spirit directed me to come right here.

“In fact, when I came, it didn’t look like a church from the outside. And I’m like, where am I? And when I came inside, I was so amazed at the simplicity and the beauty of this church with its small, compact, and very welcoming congregation. I was able to grow and tell them what I think, how we can make Acono great again and for it to become a beacon of hope for the youth, for the community.”

Garnes added, “It’s where I decided to stay and continue this important work.”

Over the 10-day camp (July 14-25), Garnes and her team—which included her sons, Diamanda and Duvano—worked with 18 children, borrowing instruments from friends and well-wishers to provide a meaningful musical experience.

They taught the children to sing, play the guitar, cuatro, steelpan, keyboard, and percussion instruments.

“And all the instruments have to be returned, so not only are we looking for a venue, we need instruments of our own.”

She also highlighted the importance of discipline and regular attendance, which she said are essential to success in music and arts.

“If you don’t have the discipline, you wouldn’t be successful,” she said. “So here, our first criteria was discipline. Then, you had to attend regularly, because everything was into different stages. Every hour or half an hour, you did something different. So, if you came late, you missed the recorder class or steelpan.”

“Music and culture—dance, drama, art—are vital for youth development,” Garnes stressed.

“Right now, we are using the church, and God understands, Jesus understands, but we need a proper venue where we can continue this work beyond the holidays. When school starts, everything stops here, and many more children miss out on these opportunities.”

She added, “We’ve already had a successful Christmas concert, and we plan to do more. The children here are eager, talented, and on fire with their passion for music.”

She appealed to those in authority and urged the community to help secure a dedicated space for the programme. “We want to make Acono great again. The children’s talent is immense, and their support from parents is overwhelming. We must not let this die.”

Garnes emphasised that music is a gift from God and a pathway to fulfilment. She praised the discipline and dedication of the children and the supervisors who worked tirelessly during the camp.

She urged the community to lend their influence and resources to help establish the permanent venue, ensuring that the youth of Acono can continue to grow, learn, and stay out of trouble through the arts.

“Let’s work together to keep the music alive,” she said. “Our children’s talents are our future, and they deserve every opportunity to shine.”